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Print pageThe Announcements Archive contains announcements previously listed in the Announcements section on the Supreme Court main page of this site. If you are unable to located a particular announcement, please contact the Website Coordinator.
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2024
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
The Supreme Court of British Columbia will be closed on Monday, September 30, 2024 in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is a solemn acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history of residential schools and honours the healing journey of the Survivors, their families, and their communities. It is also an opportunity to support the ongoing process of reconciliation and consider the role each of us plays in that process.
September 9, 2024
AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT CIVIL AND FAMILY RULES - RESCISSION OF PRACTICE DIRECTION 1 AND ADMINISTRATIVE NOTICE 14 AND ISSUANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE NOTICE 19
Effective September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules were amended pursuant to OIC No. 378/2024.
The amendments to Supreme Court Civil Rule 22-2(5) and Supreme Court Family Rule 10-4(5) incorporate a requirement for a commissioner for taking affidavits to print their name or affix their stamp below their signature on the jurat. Accordingly, Practice Direction 1 - Affidavits - Identification of Counsel or Commissioner, has been rescinded. More information about the rescission of Practice Direction 1 is available here.
The changes also incorporate a requirement for the various records and briefs that are filed with or submitted to the Supreme Court to include a cover page. Accordingly, Administrative Notice 14 - Cover Page Requirements has been rescinded and replaced with Administrative Notice 19 - Cover Page Requirements for Written Submissions.
September 9, 2024
RESCISSION OF COVID-19 NOTICE NO. 2 (NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING AFFIDAVITS FOR USE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS)
During the COVID-19 pandemic some accommodations were made for the commissioning of documents recognizing it was not always possible or medically safe for the deponent to physically attend before a commissioner for taking affidavits. In consultation with the Law Society of British Columbia, the Court of Appeal for BC, the Supreme Court of BC and the Provincial Court of BC issued:
- Notice to the Public Regarding Affidavits for Use in Court Proceedings
- COVID-19 Notice No. 2 - Notice to the Public Regarding Affidavits for Use in Court Proceedings
- NP 20 Affidavits for use in Court Proceedings
In July 2024, the Law Society of BC revised section 1 “Affidavits and solemn declarations” of Appendix A of the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia to set out information and a process related to remote commissioning of affidavits or solemn declarations by a lawyer. Effective September 9, 2024 the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules regarding affidavits were amended to provide for the swearing or affirming of affidavits by video. Accordingly, COVID-19 Notice No. 2 has been rescinded.
August 29, 2024
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia welcomes the appointments of Justice Andrea L. Ormiston to Abbotsford, Justice Tina L. Dion to New Westminster, Justice David M. Layton to Port Coquitlam, and Justice Eric V. Gottardi to New Westminster. The appointments are effective immediately. For further information, please see the announcement from the Department of Justice.
August 26, 2024
WELCOMING CEREMONY - JUSTICE HOFFMAN, JUSTICE RAMSAY, JUSTICE LAURIE, AND JUSTICE LATIMER
A Welcoming Ceremony for Justice Hoffman, Justice Ramsay, Justice Laurie, and Justice Latimer will be held on Wednesday, September 11, at the Vancouver Law Courts in Courtroom 55 at 4:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.
August 26, 2024
CALL AND ADMISSION CEREMONY - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
This event will take place in the Great Hall at the Vancouver Law Courts at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. The ceremony will be conducted by the Honourable Justice Jennifer Lynn Whately in the morning and the Honourable Justice David Crossin in the afternoon.
August 12, 2024
WELCOMING CEREMONY - JUSTICE WOLFE
A Welcoming Ceremony for Justice Wolfe will be held on Monday, August 26, at the Victoria Law Courts in Courtroom 401 at 4:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.
August 8, 2024
WELCOMING CEREMONY - JUSTICE SUKSTORF, JUSTICE BANTOURAKIS, AND JUSTICE HAMILTON
A Welcoming Ceremony for Justice Sukstorf, Justice Bantourakis, and Justice Hamilton will be held on Friday, August 30, at the New Westminster Law Courts in Courtroom 209 at 4:15 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremony.
August 1, 2024
JUDICIAL RETIREMENT - THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ELLIOTT MYERS
The Supreme Court of British Columbia announces that the Honourable Mr. Justice Elliott Myers retired from the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vancouver on July 31, 2024. Justice Myers was appointed to the Supreme Court on November 23, 2005
July 2, 2024
CALL AND ADMISSION CEREMONY - FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2024
This event will take place in the Great Hall at the Vancouver Law Courts at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. The ceremony will be conducted by the Honourable Justice Miriam Maisonville in the morning and the Honourable Justice Heather MacNaughton in the afternoon.
July 2, 2024
CRIMINAL PRACTICE DIRECTION 8 (CPD-8) - PUBLICATION BANS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS - IN COURT PRACTICE
Associate Chief Justice Holmes has issued Criminal Practice Direction 8 (CPD-8), to improve the clarity of publication bans made in criminal proceedings, and the accuracy of court records documenting them. CPD-8 will be effective August 6, 2024. CPD-8 can be found here.